Jaguar XF 2.0 Luxury 2013 Review

Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol Luxury and Premium Luxury

Local Launch
Sydney, Australia

The all-aluminium turbocharged four-cylinder found beneath the bonnet of Jag’s latest price buster is shared with a number of vehicles with tenuous ties to the brand’s past associations. These include the new Ford Falcon EcoBoost, Mondeo EcoBoost and Focus ST variants, which all sport the hi-tech i4. Within the Jaguar-Land Rover fold you can add Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Freelander variants, then there's a number of petrol-powered Volvo sedan, wagon and SUV models. The engine isn't quite ubiquitous, but it's on the way...

In the case of the Jag, modest equipment upgrades extend the XF’s value offering; as does its price. The model now keenly pitched to compete with its German and Japanese rivals from $68,990 (MRLP).

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

Jaguar's XF 2.0 Petrol is available in a pair of variants dubbed ‘Luxury’ ($68,900) and ‘Premium Luxury’ ($75,500).

The entry-level model receives leather upholstery with electric adjustment for the driver and front passenger, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, keyless start, an electric park brake, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing HID headlamps and a refreshed 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming.

Premium Luxury versions add larger diameter alloy wheels (18-inch), a reversing camera, added front seat adjustability (6x6-way), and Bond grain stitched leather on the seats and instrument panel cover.

An extensive (and expensive) list of options and option packages are available for both model grades.

For 2013 the Jaguar Touch system offers extended entertainment, navigation and connectivity functions with key upgrades including the enhanced functionality of the system’s iPod/iPhone interface, and more user-friendly sat nav functionality.

The centrally-mounted screen also offers a Dynamic Zoom feature which automatically enlarges the sat nav screen as the car approaches an intersection or junction. Jaguar says the enhancement aims to make the upcoming route more obvious.

MECHANICAL
-- Much more from even less
The compact and lightweight all-aluminium four-cylinder found powering the Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol variants weighs in at just 138kg. It replaces the 3.0-litre petrol V6 offered in the model from launch.

From the i4’s relatively diminutive dimensions comes peak power of 177kW at 5500rpm and 340Nm of torque, available between 2000 and 4000rpm.

Induction is via a low-inertia turbocharger whose turbine housing is integrated within the thin-walled exhaust manifold. Jaguar says the design (by Ford – the engine part of the global EcoBoost family) shortens engine and catalyst warm-up times thus reducing emissions, while also improving packaging and weight centralisation within the engine bay.

Chain-driven variable exhaust and intake cams further flatten torque delivery whilst optimising fuel consumption. On the combined cycle, the XF 2.0 Petrol consumes 8.9L/100km with CO2 emissions of 207g/km.

Mated exclusively to an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission the XF 2.0 Petrol is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds. It boasts a top speed of 241km/h.

The chassis configuration is otherwise familiar to the 11-strong XF range. Suspension duties are fulfilled by an aluminium double wishbone (front) / multi-link (rear) arrangement with braking handled by four-wheel discs.

A power-assisted rack and pinion steering system offers the XF a turning circle of 11.48 metres. Alloy wheel sizes vary between model grades. As standard, the Luxury model receives 17-inch wheels and the Premium Luxury 18-inchers.

PACKAGING

A well-assembled cabin boasting the levels of equipment some rivals offer optionally is a big drawcard for the XF. Indeed the level of quality and solidity is far from ‘entry-level’. A quick glance around the cabin reveals glitzy metal garnishing, plush carpet and a lot less button clutter than most in this class.

If there's a glitch in the entry-level XF, however, it's the leather upholstery. In keeping the price of the new 2.0-litre variants down, Jag appears to have cut the budget on the hide. It presents like something from a less than premium marque. Not in keeping with the rest of the cabin.

Like all XFs, accommodation levels are more generous than they might appear though taller passengers may find rear legroom tight. Front seat entry and egress is effortless. The seating is comfortable and supportive, with enough adjustment up front to find a comfortable driving position with a commanding view of the road.

Up back the XF offers 500 litres of cargo space behind split-fold rear seats.

Otherwise, the XF formula is unchanged from other variants tested previously. For more information, visit the Jaguar XF Launch Review.

SAFETY
-- Back of the pack
Jaguar’s high-strength body shell and range of electronic driver aids combine to offer the XF a four-star ANCAP safety rating. Every other competitor listed in this category (see COMPETITORS) scores a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

During testing the XF scored only 12.38 from a possible 16 points for the frontal offset collision test. The results of this test rated the XF’s level of protection as ‘marginal’ for the driver’s chest and legs while the level of protection for the passenger’s legs was also rated as ‘marginal’. The XF did, however, score top marks for the side impact crash test and gained an additional two points during the optional pole test.

Six airbags (front side and curtain), a pedestrian contact sensing system and reverse parking sensors are standard, joining anti-lock brakes, stability control, cornering brake control, and electronic brake-force distribution.

All five seating positions receive anti-whiplash head restraints and three-point seat belts, while the back row adds child seat fixture points for both top-tether and ISOFIX restraint types.

COMPETITORS

At $77,900 the entry-level (132kW/320Nm) Audi A6 2.0 TFSI offers less power and torque than XF 2.0 Petrol, but is also cleaner, and more economical. The A6 consumes 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle and emits just 149g/km of CO2.

BMW’s entry into the 5 Series portfolio is also a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol offering, the 520i. At $77,900 the popular German rival offers 135kW/270Nm at 6.7L/100km. CO2 emissions are rated at 155g/km.

Lexus offers its new GS 250 as the only V6-powered competitor in the segment’s entry end. The 2.5-litre normally-aspirated six-cylinder outputs 154kW/253Nm, however, it doesn’t even come close to its British or German rivals where economy is concerned, amassing 9.3L/100km on the combined cycle and a fat CO2 figure of 215g/km. The GS 250 is priced from $77,400.

Finally, the Mercedes-Benz E 200 BlueEFFICIENCY begins proceedings for the three-pointed star brand. At $79,900 the model is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder outputting 135kW/270Nm. The combined cycle fuel consumption figure is rated at 6.6L/100km and CO2 emissions 154g/km.

The brief summation shows that Jaguar has cornered the price-sensitive entry end of the mid-size prestige segment; a fact that should help bolster sales for a model that is now effectively in its twilight years.

ON THE ROAD

Under acceleration from rest, however, the four-cylinder engine has an aural character that is perhaps at odds with the car’s heritage, but it’s a fact not atypical to the XF’s competitors, and one of those things we’re just going to have to get used to as manufacturers chase improved fuel consumption and lower emissions targets.

Australian consumers are unique in being able to compare the four's abilities in the Jaguar and locally-built Falcon – to date the only longitudinal installations of the EcoBoost i4. And ironically, the Jag's higher-tech eight-speed auto (Falcon gets a six-speeder) is the fly in the ointment.

There’s a little turbo lag from the get go, and as you reapply throttle after slow speed coasting (say, at a roundabout) the engine and transmission don't get on. The turbocharger and the torque converter seem to conspire here, and although it’s brief, the delay in acceleration is disconcerting. It is confined entirely to the two situations listed above, and doesn’t impact the car’s performance once overcome.

When cruising or tackling corners, the XF’s drivetrain is, however, blissfully smooth. The shifts from the ZF eight-speed transmission go unnoticed; the only complaint here is a mild reluctance to ‘kick down’ to a lower gear when tackling long ascents, resulting in a slight and momentary loss of pace.

It's a measure of the torque of the EcoBoost four that the XF 2.0 is turning just 1500rpm at 110km/h.

In demanding conditions, we found the use of the transmission’s ‘S’ mode, or the steering wheel-mounted paddles shifts, a better option in overcoming these minor shortfalls.

Not that pace is an issue. The XF 2.0-litre is surprisingly enthusiastic. A willing and free-revving engine it’s happy to stretch its legs and is quick (enough) where it counts – overtaking. The theory was put to practice on a few occasions on our drive loop north of Sydney, and during all gave us no cause for criticism.

Pleasingly, the car’s dynamic qualities were equally confident. The XF’s compromise between ride and handling is a masterstroke, the car equal parts agile and composed. The lighter engine has done little to impact the car’s stability at speed, and if anything, has improved turn-in response and resistance to understeer.

The Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol’s final ace up the sleeve is fuel economy. In spite of a drive loop comprising hills, corners and higher average speeds, the four-cylinder model achieved exemplary fuel economy. We achieved an average of 9.9L/100km, only one litre more than the model’s ADR 81/01 combined cycle figure.

Easy on the eye, easy on the juice and easy on the wallet the Jaguar XF is a well-equipped and comfortable package. One we’re certain will help the brand achieve the sales numbers it so desperately deserves.

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